A selection of websites explaining how Switzerland is structured and how it functions, providing you with the information you will need to form an opinion and exercise your political rights from overseas

Services

Contact the responsible Swiss representation or consulate when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new passport, have moved or wish to apply for citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown menu to the right. The contact details of the responsible Swiss representation are shown on the corresponding page.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from the Swiss representative.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

Switzerland has concluded a bilateral framework agreement with the Czech Republic. Switzerland decides in consultation with the Czech Republic and independently of the EU which projects it will support

Swiss criminal records extract

If a paper copy of your criminal records extract is to be submitted to a foreign authority it will normally have to be legalised (apostille) by the Federal Chancellery. Do not forget to ask for this to be done at the same time as you order the extract so that it can be taken care of directly through the intermediary of the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ). Otherwise you will have to take the necessary steps yourself with the Federal Chancellery.

A criminal records extract legalised by the Federal Chancellery can if necessary be legalised either by the foreign representation (embassy or consulate) in Switzerland of the country to which it is to be submitted or by a Swiss representation in the country in question. A fee must be paid for legalisation. For additional information please consult the relevant authorities.